PICKERING ladies I moved up to second place in division five of the Yorkshire Hockey League with a 2-1 win at Doncaster Independent.

The Pikes showed their strength in depth as, with several players unavailable, the opportunity arose for new players to show their mettle.

Pickering dominated from the start with player of the match Lauren Dobson using her skill in midfield to switch play.

Strong attacks down the right from Lucy Ibbotsen and Anna Aspery opened up the defence to create numerous scoring chances.

A defender’s foot on the line gave the visitors a penalty stroke but a superb save from Doncaster’s keeper prevented Meg Williams from opening the scoring. Pickering’s perseverence paid off as Anna Aspery hit the backboard before half-time.

The second half saw Doncaster fight back with an early break finding the visitors’ defence off guard.

Pickering soon bounced back when an early cross from Aspery gave Lisa Young the space to slot the ball past the keeper.

Newcomers Meg Bell and Karen Counden stepped up to the mark.

 

• OLD Malton men’s I suffered a third consecutive defeat in the Yorkshire Hockey League premier division as they lost 6-0 at Bradford I.

They will aim to break that sequence when they host Sheffield Hallam III on Saturday.